We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Science

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are Curved Scissors?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 28,704
Share

Curved scissors are often cutting tools with blades that are bent to accommodate some specific cutting tasks. The curvature of the blades means that the scissors must be engineered for a specific hand, rather than being usable in either, and it is important for consumers to find ones that have been fitted for either the right or left hand. These scissors can be purchased from a number of sources, with medical suppliers, drugstores, and craft suppliers all stocking them.

Commonly, the blades on curved scissors are very small because they are designed for detail and precision work. The handles may be oversized, especially when compared to the blades, allowing for greater control over the blades during the cutting process. Many have sharp tips, although some have blunted tips for safety and specific applications. Sharp tips are especially common for scissors used in tight quarters, since the tips can be used to manipulate the material being cut. Sharp tips should be maintained by regularly using scissors sharpeners. They allow you to be more precise regardless of the material you're trying to cut.

For personal beauty maintenance, curved scissors are used to cut nails quickly and safely, and they can also be used to trim nose and ear hair, assuming that the blades are short and blunt. Nail scissors can be used to create a very smooth and clean cut that curves naturally with the nail and the finger, as opposed to nail clippers, which can sometimes generate a ragged or uneven cut. These scissors tend to be very sharp so that they will cut without compressing.

These scissors are also used in crafting. Embroidery, quilting, and other sewing crafts often involve situations in which scissors with curved blades can be extremely useful. For example, a crafter may need to carefully tease out and snip a thread without worrying about damaging the surrounding threads or the underlying fabric, in which case these scissors are ideal. Some products made for crafting have blunt tips on the bottom blade, so that the scissors do not rip through fabric or thread while they are being used.

People in the medical field may also use these items for tasks like removing stitches, expanding a surgical field, and so forth. The curved blades are ideal for making controlled cuts because they can be snapped shut without the user needing to worry about accidentally cutting surrounding tissue. When removing stitches, for example, the blades can be inserted into a stitch and then gently squeezed shut to snip the stitch open without cutting into other stitches or the margin of the wound. Note that scissors injuries are often caused by dull edges, so you should always keep them sharp. You can have it professionally done, or just get a heavy-duty knife sharpener that can also be used for scissors.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By fify — On Sep 04, 2011

@turkay1-- I saw a double curved scissors at my dentist's office. Do you know what that's for?

I know that if the blades are curved, it's called a curved scissors. But this one looked like both the blades and the handle was curved. I think it's called a double curved scissors. I'm just wandering what kind of procedure it's used for.

By candyquilt — On Sep 04, 2011

I remember that we had used a curved surgical scissors when we had to dissect a frog in school. It was the thinnest and most delicate scissors I have ever seen.

We were also taught about the different types of scissors that doctors and surgeons use and there were so many! If I remember correctly, they were either categorized as being straight or curved and sharp and blunt. The scissors for dissection was definitely curved and sharp.

I didn't even know that curved scissors are used for things other than surgery.

By ysmina — On Sep 03, 2011

I have two curved scissors at home, one is a grooming scissors and the other is a sewing scissors and both are really tiny but work really well.

I use the curved grooming scissors to trim my eyebrows, it seems to get around the hairs better than a regular scissors and I feel that it's safer too. I think it makes it less likely for me to poke myself with it. It's great that it's small too, really the perfect size and shape to care for brows.

The other one I use to cut stitches on clothing. Clothes that have been sewed with a sewing machine always have the smallest and tightest stitches. I've learned that the only way to cut and remove them is by using a curved scissors. The curve gets under the thread so easily.

Both of these are a must have tool for me at home.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://direct.wisegeek.com/what-are-curved-scissors.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.